When it comes to straightening teeth, traditional metal braces and Invisalign are two popular options that often come to mind.
People what to know the differences between Invisalign and traditional metal braces (or ceramic braces). Is Invisalign quicker than braces? Is braces more effective than Invisalign? Is invisalign faster than braces. These are questions help patients to come with an informed decision.
Braces have long been a trusted method, using metal brackets and wires to correct a wide range of dental issues.
On the other hand, Invisalign offers a partly invisible solution with clear, removable aligners that fit snugly over the teeth. This comes with the requirement of wearing aligners for 22 hours a day.
However, for those seeking an alternative that combines the effectiveness of braces with the discreet appearance of Invisalign, lingual braces provide a compelling choice.
Lingual braces are attached to the back of the teeth, making them virtually invisible while delivering the same reliable results as traditional braces.
Here is a quick difference between traditional metal braces and Invisalign for a straighter smile, and a third option that you often don’t hear about.
Braces vs Invisalign
Five main aspects of braces vs Invisalign:
Appearance:
- Braces: Consist of metal brackets and wires attached to the front of the teeth, making them visible when you smile or speak. You can use ceramic braces that are tooth colored but the wire is visible.
- Invisalign: Uses clear, plastic aligners that are mostly invisible when worn.
Removability:
- Braces: Fixed appliances that remain in place throughout the treatment period and can only be removed by an orthodontist.
- Invisalign: Aligners are removable, allowing you to take them out when eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. This could become an issue if you remove them too much during the day. This is one of the main benefits of Invisalign.
Comfort:
- Braces: Metal components can cause discomfort or irritation to the inside of the mouth due to rubbing against cheeks and lips. This is mostly the first few weeks of your treatment.
- Invisalign: Made of plastic, reducing the likelihood of irritation or sores inside the mouth. The Invisalign aligner could also cut your cheeks.
Maintenance and Oral Hygiene:
- Braces: Require careful cleaning around brackets and wires, which can make brushing and flossing more challenging. Plaque buildups form around your teeth if you don’t keep them clean.
- Invisalign: Easier to maintain oral hygiene since aligners are removed for cleaning, allowing for normal brushing and flossing. More severe cases of cavities, gum issues and white spot lesions can be seen with aligners if they are not properly cleaned.
Treatment Effectiveness and Limitations:
- Braces: Effective for treating a wide range of orthodontic issues, including complex misalignments and bite problems. Braces can move your teeth to the desired position efficiently.
- Invisalign: Best suited for mild to moderate alignment issues and may not be as effective for more complex dental corrections. An experienced orthodontist can treat most cases with aligners but severe cases could take longer than braces compared to Invisalign.
Here is a third options that gives you both esthetic and power of traditional metal braces.
How does lingual braces attached to my teeth differently than Invisalign?
Orthodontists attach lingual braces behind your teeth, while Invisalign or clear aligners are removable appliances.
In general, orthodontists use fixed or removable appliances for straightening the teeth. Orthodontists conventionally used metal braces for orthodontic treatment.
In the last 30 years, orthodontists have developed new ways to straighten teeth. These advancements include clear aligners, lingual braces, and traditional braces.
How is the maintenance and results with Lingual braces?
The maintenance of lingual braces is more than Invisalign. Food particles can get stock to the archwire and brackets positioned back side of the teeth. Accessibility to clean these areas might be hard. A water flosser can help a lot.
Orthodontic patients opting lingual braces as opposed to conventional braces, Invisalign or even over-the-counter box aligners (D2C aligner treatment) will get direct care from an orthodontists providing straight teeth, healthy smile, and functional bite. This type of teeth work is a good candidate for who want effective results without visible appliances.
Does lingual braces hurt more than Invisalign?
When you start an orthodontic treatment, you will experience soreness on your gum, cheeks and teeth. This temporary discomfort comes from two factors. Soft food and medication can help.
One must adjust to using orthodontic appliances like Invisalign, lingual braces, or metal bracket braces. Second, moving teeth in to a straighter teeth .
Does Invisalign move my teeth better than lingual braces?
Plastic aligners like Invisalign or lingual braces work best for simple tooth movements, their effectiveness depends on complexity.
Overall lingual custom appliances are more efficient in moving roots in the bone. It doesn’t mean that you cannot move the roots with set of aligners, it just takes longer.
Invisalign aligners are very efficient in minor rotational movements. At PORTH we have special active retainers to take care of these movements.
Lingual braces are efficient for certain treatment plans. For example patients with deep overbite can significantly benefits from lingual braces type of treatment compared to clear aligners.
Braces on the back of the teeth are more effective for patients with deep overbites. They create stronger forces to move the teeth.
Are lingual braces more expensive than Invisalign?
Lingual braces cost is more than Invisalign or clear aligners. Lingual orthodontics is a technique which a small group of orthodontists offer.
The appointments are slightly longer and a specially trained team member has to work with the orthodontist to render the care.
Additionally, the lingual braces cost like incognito or similar orthodontic appliances cost more. Treatment time and complexity are the main.
Are lingual braces faster than Invisalign? Does Invisalign work better than lingual braces?
Treatment time in orthodontics depends on the complexity of the care. Different orthodontic appliances are efficient in different things.
Lingual braces are overall more efficient in moving roots compare to Invisalign. They are also more effective in closing spaces for patients with very crooked teeth that warrens removal of their teeth.
It is hard to say which one of these braces treatment is faster. The orthodontic treatment time ties to the treatment goals and complexity of the problems – an orthodontist in New Haven agrees with us on this point.
Here are a few other questions that patients at PORTH like to know before picking lingual braces or clear aligners. PORTH patients discussing pros and cons of Invisalign and lingual braces
Cost of Lingual braces
Lingual braces are one type of braces. Braces and aligners both can fix all orthodontic issues and move the teeth to their correct position. Treatment for complex cases are more efficient with metal wires compared to Invisalign trays.
Cost of Invisalign depends on orthodontic problems and the treatment time. The length of treatment for invisible braces (lingual), clear aligners and traditional braces mostly similar.
Cost of braces is less than lingual braces and sometime Invisalign cost. Most practices offer payment plans for teeth straightening and other malocclusion collectively called orthodontic treatment. Dental insurance plans cover part of the treatment cost.
Cost of treatment covers appliances like lingual braces, x-rays, office visits for check-ups and emergencies, and retainers. Some offices also offer whitening.
Lingual Braces at PORTH
Our two clinics, located in Bellevue and Sammamish, offer lingual braces. Lingual braces may not be available near you, as only a limited number of orthodontists in the greater Seattle area offer this option. The cutting edge virtual care progress technology we are using help you to seeking the most advanced treatment options and get the smile you wanted in fewer visits. We understand your busy life.
Dr. Rooz has successfully treated many patients, including both teens and adults, with lingual braces. You can ask any questions you have about lingual braces during your complimentary consultation.
FAQs Invisalign vs lingual braces
Is flossing easier with clear aligners compared to lingual braces?
You have to remove clear aligners or Invisalign before brushing and flossing. It is easier to use a toothbrush and floss between your teeth with aligners.
We provide special home care tools to our patients for maintaining a good oral hygiene with lingual braces. Regular check ups and taking care of non orthodontic dental cares are important to maintain a good levels of oral health.
Do lingual braces cause more lisp compared to invisalign aligners?
Patient with both invisalign or lingual braces can experience transitional lisp when start the orthodontic care.
Removable aligners give an option to patients to remove the aligners if they need to. This can also make the adaptation of muscle which often the root of the issue slower.
Do ceramic braces work the same as lingual braces?
Ceramic braces are one of the alternative treatment options compared to traditional metal braces.
Ceramic braces is a good option for self-conscious patients yet it is not a true invisible option where braces are on the back of the teeth on the tongue side. Both of these braces take less time compared to invisalign if the patient is not wearing the Invisalign trays.
What are the type of braces that are glued on the back of the teeth?
There are two different types of lingual braces: custom personalized lingual braces and wires and the stock version.
Orthodontists build custom lingual braces using CAD-CAM technology, with incognito braces being one example. InBrace is a type of braces with wires designed by robots. The metal brackets behind the teeth are the same for all patients.
Is Lingual braces as effective as Invisalign treatment?
Lingual braces and Invisalign both fix crooked teeth (misalignment), but they have different benefits in the field of dentistry.
Lingual braces are attached to the back of your teeth. They fix bite problems and alignment. They are discreet and not visible like regular braces.
In terms of rubber bands, both lingual braces and Invisalign have an option to add the rubber bands to correct the bite.
This method allows patients to work towards a beautiful smile without the aesthetic concern of brackets on the front of their teeth. However, they can be difficult to clean and may take longer to get used to.
Invisalign is made of clear plastic aligners, which makes it very discreet and easy to remove for eating or cleaning. This system significantly reduces dietary restrictions, eliminating concerns about sticky foods that could affect traditional braces.
Both Invisalign and lingual braces aim to improve smiles, but they cater to different patient preferences. Invisalign is easy to use, while lingual braces are discreet and location-specific. Both options start with a free meeting to provide personalized advice on the best method for the individual’s needs.
What is a hybrid lingual treatment?
Beside offering lingual braces as a treatment option. We provide orthodontic treatment with a combination of appliances at the same type.
We refer to this a hybrid treatment plan. Some patients would choose lingual braces with PORTH clear aligners to maximize all the benefits of both orthodontic appliances.
FAQs on Invisalign vs. braces
Is invisalign quicker than braces?
No necessarily. Invisalign could be longer if you don’t wear your aligner full time. Breaking braces could have the same effect on extending your treatment time.
Is invisalign more effective than braces?
Clear aligners can be as effective to fix orthodontic problems as braces.
Is invisalign cheaper than braces?
The cost of braces and Invisalign is mostly the same. Invisalign used to be more expensive.